OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Suzuki => Topic started by: evo550 on September 27, 2011, 03:28:35 pm
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I'm currently working on a evo project bike, which started with a KLX 250 roller. I have been offered a cheap TS400 motor ($80). Question is, where these motors like the TM 400 or are they a bit easier to live with ? Parts easy to come by ?
Any help appreciated.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/DSC00067.jpg)
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They were a fine motor in every respect.
Many articles were written about the early 400's especially the TM400 Cyclone ;)
Lozza can help you give it some pep and unleash some serious power.
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I have be told that they are the best engine to use, I am using the same engine in my frame, they still pull very well.
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I'm currently working on a evo project bike, which started with a KLX 250 roller. I have been offered a cheap TS400 motor ($80). Question is, where these motors like the TM 400 or are they a bit easier to live with ? Parts easy to come by ?
Any help appreciated.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/DSC00067.jpg)
They need help but not that much . Better question is how much HP do you want? They are not the lightest engine but the gearbox is bullet proof . $80 is a bargain +36mm VM of a IT250 works a treat.
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Measure it up first evo. The TS400 is quite a 'long' motor and not suited to many interchanges. KLX250 frames are basically built around an engine of much more compact dimensions.
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Lozza, I'm after something with smooth, broad and torquey power.
It's going into a KLX frame, which is fairly spindly and I doubt would handle a fire breather without some serious frame bracing....even then I would still struggle.
It needs a few bits, but it's a good start.
Thanks guys.
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Measure it up first evo. The TS400 is quite a 'long' motor and not suited to many interchanges. KLX250 frames are basically built around an engine of much more compact dimensions.
Yeah, good point Doc, never thought of that.
Do you have ant bits laying around for one of these beasts ?
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I wonder if anyone ever thought of putting one of these in a older PE frame and makign a pre factory PE400? They are side port right?
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Lozza, I'm after something with smooth, broad and torquey power.
It's going into a KLX frame, which is fairly spindly and I doubt would handle a fire breather without some serious frame bracing....even then I would still struggle.
It needs a few bits, but it's a good start.
Thanks guys.
How much broad smooth torquey power you want? ;D Suspension and brakes will become very important all of a sudden.
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Measure it up first evo. The TS400 is quite a 'long' motor and not suited to many interchanges. KLX250 frames are basically built around an engine of much more compact dimensions.
Yeah, good point Doc, never thought of that.
Do you have ant bits laying around for one of these beasts ?
Doc is dead right there Evo. Not sure how it compares but I tried to get a DT400 into a KLX chassis and it was a mile too long. Additionally, the DT is a centre port so I would have had to make a duplex cradle anyway. Why not adapt the KLX suspension, rear frame and wheels to a TS main frame? We can start a team then ;D
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I wonder if anyone ever thought of putting one of these in a older PE frame and makign a pre factory PE400? They are side port right?
They were produced as side or centre port Leith but again it's just too long. 'If' you were to modify the PE chassis to make it fit the weight would be thrown too far forward. They don't fit RM frames nor even the same era TS250 frames ;)
evo, I've not a lot laying around for the TS400 though a complete engine is due to arrive late December.
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People seem to put motosport Honda engines in,actually anything up to the Honda 500 single.
Having a spare KLX rolling chassis I'd think the early centre port engines or any Honda 250. I would expect to have to beef up the rolling gear for the 500 even if the frame could cope long term, which I doubt.
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just off the mark a bit ,we have just fitted a tm 400 motor into a rl frame we think it may make a good dirt tracker will have to find a nutter for its 1st ride tho
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will have to find a nutter for its 1st ride tho
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Arhm-POPEYE?
I had the last TS400 out of Mayfairs-it sat in the warehouse for yonks, so I asked Eddie Bailey if I could snatch it to ride to work. Worlds first adventure bike I thought-even put a PE tank on it. Loved it except for the 'tanking' sound it make on decel, put an RM125 carb on it that helped a bit.
19mins from Story bridge to Hornibrook was my best time :D :D :D
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Evo, before you go too far, it would be wise to check whether the bike will be eligble.
In the current 2011 GCR's, under EVO Class elegibility is rule "18.7.12.1 Bikes will be OEM". I have always taken it that this rule, which call for bike to be Original Equipment Manufacture, prevents the use of one or specials in the class.
Of course, this rule may have been changed for the new 2012 rules.
CJ
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Shoreline, any pictures of the TM400 in the RL frame? Would love to see that ;)
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Evo, before you go too far, it would be wise to check whether the bike will be eligble.
In the current 2011 GCR's, under EVO Class elegibility is rule "18.7.12.1 Bikes will be OEM". I have always taken it that this rule, which call for bike to be Original Equipment Manufacture, prevents the use of one or specials in the class.
Of course, this rule may have been changed for the new 2012 rules.
CJ
Col,
That rule has caused so many shit fights over the years, and you would think it would be worded to better suit it's actual meaning, If every bike had to be O.E.M. then you wouldn't even be able to replace the tyres on the thing. What it really means is that all bikes and their parts must have been derived from evo legal bits. an example being that i can fit another motor, as long as it comes from a bike that was originally manufactured with drum brakes, non linkage suspension and a air cooled motor. What I couldn't do is put an air cooled motor from a bike with a disc brake front end or something with a linkage rear end.
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Evo, before you go too far, it would be wise to check whether the bike will be eligble.
In the current 2011 GCR's, under EVO Class elegibility is rule "18.7.12.1 Bikes will be OEM". I have always taken it that this rule, which call for bike to be Original Equipment Manufacture, prevents the use of one or specials in the class.
Of course, this rule may have been changed for the new 2012 rules.
CJ
Col,
That rule has caused so many shit fights over the years, and you would think it would be worded to better suit it's actual meaning, If every bike had to be O.E.M. then you wouldn't even be able to replace the tyres on the thing. What it really means is that all bikes and their parts must have been derived from evo legal bits. an example being that i can fit another motor, as long as it comes from a bike that was originally manufactured with drum brakes, non linkage suspension and a air cooled motor. What I couldn't do is put an air cooled motor from a bike with a disc brake front end or something with a linkage rear end.
cORRECT
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Many articles obituaries were written about the early 400's especially the TM400 Cyclone ;)
Fixed ;)
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A complete, original but unrestored 73 TS400 Apache went for $2,800.00 on eBay tonight.
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Don't take the written word as gospel Tim ;) The first orange tank '71 TM400 was a little snappy, in more ways than one, this was the main cause for the stigma that dogged all the TM400's but by '74/'75 they were getting things sorted. Even the early models can now be tamed quite easily 8) History hasn't been kind to them. The stock TS400's are in comparison quite docile and domesticated :)
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Just playing on their reputation Col. I've ridden the TS400 but not the TM400 and the TS had a beaut motor.
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I saw the ebay TS400 for 2800, lots of bids too! :o I have a centre-port model but i cant find an exhaust pipe. Any ideas? Cheers,Shane.